Michelle Obama said she admires a particular rock and roll legend’s marriage and that she has continued to look to them amid the constant rumors that her marriage to Barack Obama is in peril.
During Obama’s podcast “IMO,” which she shares with her brother Craig Robinson, the former First Lady of the United States hosted icon Bruce Springsteen, who discussed his family, his turbulent upbringing, and his longtime marriage to his wife, Patti Scialfa.
Obama openly expressed her deep admiration for the enduring Springsteen and Scialfa marriage. This sentiment resonates with many who look up to their relationship. Obama heaped effusive praise on the “Born in the USA” singer, which took him by surprise.
“You and Patti have been couple mentors for me and Barack for quite some time,” Obama told the rocker on the podcast, according to The Daily Mail.
Springsteen registered surprise at Obama’s high praise for his marriage by exclaiming, “Whoa! Alright.”
Bruce Springsteen reveals how he raised his kids
Obama’s admiration for Springsteen and his wife, who worked on communicating and maintaining a healthy marriage, is significant because it provides insight into her views on marriage and personal well-being amidst public speculation.
As the discussion highlighted their upbringing informs their choices in rearing their children, the esteemed musician admits that he and his wife come from “complicated families,” and they worked to ensure that they did not pass down the mistakes they made to their children, thereby avoiding the creation of generational curses.
“Let your sins be your own for your children. Let them have their own mistakes, just don’t make my mistakes over again,” Springsteen said on how he and Scialfa parented their children.
“It’s rare that people don’t pass their stuff on,” Obama added.
“And that’s one of the things that I marvel at you and Patti and the work that you all have done because you learn those lessons.
“You got two powerful people in you and Patti, your own powerhouses in your own right,” Obama added.
Michelle Obama, like many public figures, finds the persistent media rumors about her marriage to be a source of irritation and frustration. Obama, 61, admits that she’s deeply frustrated with the public narrative about her 32-year marriage to Barack Obama, who is 63. She was irritated that the media speculated that decisions she made for her peace of mind were taken as signs she was breaking away from her husband, which she says is false.
She recalls how the rumors of marital tumult began when Obama chose not to attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C. while her husband was there. The speculation gained momentum when she also decided to stay away from the funeral of her beloved former President Jimmy Carter in January 2025.
The false narrative, Obama says, generated even more momentum when the Obamas had not been seen out in public for months. Moreover, the Obamas refused to make public statements that neither denied nor confirmed the rumors, lending credence to the speculation in the eyes of some people.
Michelle Obama finally addresses the rumors
Michelle Obama, in a candid and deeply personal moment on the “I’m On My Own” podcast, revealed that her decisions are guided by what is best for her mental and emotional well-being, a choice that many can relate to and support.
On the Sophia Bush podcast in April, Obama finally addressed the rumors cryptically about taking time to look out for herself.
“That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people,” Michelle told Bush. “I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.”
Obama continued, saying, “That this couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? That’s what society does to us.”
